Clutching and Stopping

For what it's worth I would not worry (after school) about using up your air while braking because your compressor is always keeping air pressure up to where it's supposed to be. Unless there is a leak in the system somewhere it should not be an issue.

 

Bullhaulers do not have that problem. They do not stop!

 

Im a recent grad myself and by no means do I think I know any where near what these guys know!Lots of good advice but what I saw(and to some extent experienced) was exactly what duramax said.Start slowing down way ahead of time and down shift early saw youre in the right gear early enough to make a smooth turn,just not as much to think about that way.Also,we were allowed to skip gears while slowing down and that can help some too,just have to be going the right speed for the gear.Again,I'm just a recent grad so take that info with a grain of salt but it really helped me and some of the other students.best of luck!

 

What Gashauler said lol ... I think everyone develops their own style once they get the basics down.

 

Learn it the way they teach it. Double clutching is something that you must learn in order to pass almost any road/skills test. As you gain in experience you will figure out which way is the best for you. All trucks are different, they may be spec'd out the exactly the same way , but each one one will have something just alittle different than the other...they are machines after all. Just like anything else practice makes perfect....we all had our share of growing pains, listen to your instructors, ask questions, and above all watch your fellow students...you can learn a whole lot by observing the good and the bad.

 

You need to get in the habit of downshifting at least a few times when you have the opportunity...before you start hauling loaded trailers...even worse with trailers loaded to the max.
You're driving and thinking like a four wheeler now. That's normal.
The brakes aren't the only way to slow down a vehicle.
Once you start driving over the road, and notice how the four wheelers think the brake and gas pedals are 'on/off' switches....floor it to the next traffic light....stand on the brakes at the next red light...you'll begin to appreciate driving fluidly, and in a manner you have to use the brakes as little as possible. It saves you time, frustration.

I drive the same way in my car, and it drives people nuts, but I don't care.



One day you'll hook up to a trailer with bad brakes, or an air leak you didn't notice...and the brakes alone are not going to slow you down enough or stop you.

You need to be in total control of that big truck. If you drive it like a car, you probably won't be out here very long...well, actually, I see too many truckers driving a big rig like a car. They must be very lucky, or their time hasn't come yet. Do you feel lucky?

 

Learn to double clutch and hit every gear on the way down. Once you pass your dmv test you can learn how to skip gears going down and how to float. I personally float most of the time and when slowing down to a stop I tend to double down (10-8-6) then the low side to whatever im starting in. However I deal with a lot of traffic and I want to drive as smooth as possible. Try to time lights so you can keep it rolling. Much easier on both you and the truck. Slower can be faster. Like another had said its not gas and brake from light to light in a truck. Now if its an emergency stop you might not get any down shifts in, get one or two in if you can but not always possible.

 

What everybody else said, once you comfortablity with your truck and know how it operates then you'll be shifting like a pro. Also don't let your nerves get to you, I did when I first started and didn't help. The way I downshift is that I am always remembering the math formulas in my head to match the speed to the gear. Sometimes I skip and sometimes I do it the DMV way...just depends on the situation.

 

I have never understood the teaching of downshifting thru every gear to stop

my brakes last, my clutches last, without any problem

when coming from highway speeds, downshift one or two gears, let the truck slow itself down (yes, i usually coast OOG at about 20mph till i stop)

 

You'll get it! You've got a good start and can only improve.